The Impossible Pet by Jane De Suza is such a fun book! I laughed out loud more than once as the hapless Tarun tries one thing after another to get a pet of his own--whether his parents like it or not.Just like when I read Puppy Trouble, what drew me first into the story is the universality of its theme. What child doesn't want a pet? In Tarun's case, there's more. He and his best friend Joey are same-same in every way--height, age, class, everything. But when Joey gets a pet and refuses to share, how can Tarun be same-same again?So Tarun tries acquiring one pet after another--a lizard, a cow, a pigeon--anything will do! I love how the humour of the story blends with the more serious elements that come towards the end of the book. Without being preachy, The Impossible Pet leaves us feeling that there's a sense of justice in the world!TitleThe Impossible … [Read more...]
Sea ice? Now you don’t!
I've been a fan of Green Humour aka Rohan Chakravarty for so long that I've been wanting to read Sea ice? Now you don't! ever since it was published. It was as delightful as I expected! I found myself reading page after page, alternating between laughter and despair even as I admired the depth and breadth of research that has gone into the creation of each comic.As Rosemary Mosco says in the foreword, what I love about Rohan's work is the way it connects the natural world with the humans who are part of it. His comics are fearless and hard-hitting in their commentary on politicians, influencers and businesspeople alike. While some comics are about species we all know, like a series of comics on tigers, many are about birds and beasts about which I know nothing, from the mistle thrush to the mangrove whistler. Clever punchlines and eye-catching art come together to make us think, … [Read more...]
My Year in Writing – 2025
2025 was a spectacular year as a writer! The highlight was, of course, winning the Crossword Book Award 2025. Everyone knows how slow the publishing industry is, so it was also such a joy to have three books published this year, by three different publishers! The Crossword Book Award ceremony was a grand, celebratory affair, and the fact that Denise Antao and I won the award for the best children's fiction was a dream come true. Jury members Deepak Dalal, Deepa Agarwal and Anita Roy had the kindest things to say about our book The Wall Friends Club. 'Wall Friends Club' stands out for its entirely unexpected and imaginative storyline and structure. It is a story of friendship, a most unusual one, that originates from pieces of paper stuck in the nooks and crannies of a wall. Although the protagonists have never met each other, the author, in a … [Read more...]
My Year in Workshops – 2025
Teacher training programmes often take me all over the country, but this time, author interactions did that for me! My teacher training was restricted to Pune, Goa and Nagpur, which gave me the time to do a lot of other things (including write!).Online workshops continue to have my heart. I love the fact that I can conduct them from anywhere, whether I'm travelling or at home. This academic year, I discontinued my writers' club at St. Mary's School for precisely this reason---in-person sessions don't allow for the flexibility my other work demands. I did create the next issue of THE WRITE PLACE for my young students, but subsequent issues are on hold, at least for the time being.At my book clubs, we read 42 books in 2025. I had enough registrations to go ahead with each batch I planned! I invited six wonderful guests to conduct sessions for my writing programmes, all of which were … [Read more...]
My Year in Dance – 2025
In so many ways, 2025 was a year of performances. And yet, it was also a year that forced me to slow down and acknowledge that Bharatanatyam is like any sport that takes its toll on your body. There's a reason sportspeople retire in their late 30s! As I look back at our performances this year, I wonder what the years ahead have in store for me. Yet, no matter what, I realise how grateful I am to the community we have, our dance family that has been together for so many years.The year of performances began with one that I've written about already---at Marigold Balaji Temple in Kalyani Nagar, Pune.Two months later, we staged a much bigger performance, and what a joy it was to work on it! I continued to take on smaller roles as a dancer because my knee hadn't (and still hasn't) healed entirely, but this performance was special in all kinds of ways.The most significant, for me, was playing … [Read more...]
Top 3 Young Adult Books -2025
I can't remember how many young adult books I read in 2025, but there were just three books that stood out to me. The White Lotus I've recommended The White Lotus to more readers than I can count! A powerful work of historical fiction, what makes it stand out is the way in which the feisty protagonist Arali stands out without seeming oddly anachronistic. She develops slowly and believable, with circumstances shaping ehr character. Although I don't read mystery much, everything about the story drew me in--the sensitive storytelling, the believable characters, and the compelling plot. Book review With the Fire on High Elizabeth Acevedo's storytelling is stunning. I love how she tackles difficult subjects head-on, layering courage with love as she touches upon a range of themes. With the Fire on High is about a … [Read more...]
Top 16 Middle-Grade Books – 2025
SIXTEEN middle-grade books stood out to me last year! When I looked at my list, I did a quick count of how many books I read in all. I lost count at sixty! Of course, that includes picture books and chapter books that make for quicker reads. Here's my list, beginning with the books I gave five stars and then moving to those with 4.5. Willodeen What can one say about Katherine Applegate's writing that hasn't been said before? Willodeen is a stunning book, richly textured and beautifully detailed. It's a work of fantasy that brilliantly touches upon ideas and themes that are relevant to our very real world. Through hummingbears and screechers, she shows us what havoc we're wreaking on the world around us. Book review Gossamer Gossamer by Lois Lowry is another gorgeous book. I often find myself thinking that I … [Read more...]
Top 3 Chapter Books – 2025
I read dozens of chapter books each year, both because publishers send me review copies and because of my book clubs. Somehow, though, only three books really stood out to me! I've introduced all three to my book clubbers (aged nine and ten), and perhaps it's more significant that they enjoyed these books than that I did! The Great Sneak-Out The Great Sneak-Out is my favourite in the POFFS series. Wacky and warm, it tells the story of a pair of sisters--and a third grade mafia! Full of humour and heart, it's also a book with the most striking chapter titles I've ever come across. Each one could be a writing prompt, and in fact, I even designed a whole lesson around one of them--"We Get Away with It. Almost." Book review Bookish Activities Blame It on the Untz Blame It on the Untz is … [Read more...]
Top 8 Picture Books – 2025
I'm not much of a picture book reader, but every year, some gems come my way, gems that I love revisiting before I start a new year of reading. Most of these books were sent to me as review copies, but of course, that doesn't affect my opinion in any way. In fact, if a book doesn't work for me, I simply don't review it.In no particular order, here are eight picture books I loved in 2025. What Feelings Like Best What Feelings Do When No One's Looking was one of my favourite picture books in 2023; What Feelings Like Best is one I loved reading last year. Whimsical and tender, this beautifully illustrated picture book is one I could keep returning to. Targeted at older readers, this is one of those picture books that I believe adults may enjoy more than children do! Book review 1 2 3 Idlis in a Sambar Sea 1 2 3 … [Read more...]
Gobi Goes Viral
Gobi Goes Viral by Vibha Batra is funny, heart-warming, and altogether believable. We've read and loved Kolam Kanna and Pinkoo Shergill at my book club, and I'm happy to introduce yet another book by the same writer to the children I meet. Here's what we'll do as we read this story! Talent Show How can we read a book about a talent show without having a talent show of our own? Over time, I've had children recite poetry, play musical instruments, draw and solve a Rubik's Cube during our book club. It's always lovely to see a side of children that I wouldn't otherwise get to see if we stuck to just reading in class! Similes Gopi (aka Gobi) uses very interesting similes! Starting with an example from the text, we will explore funny similes, coming up with imaginative comparisons for a range of humorous … [Read more...]